Choosing the Best Sling Backpacks

What makes sling backpacks so comfortable and so awesome for everything? Studying that was a little beyond our scope, but we DID manage to research and review the best sling backpacks around. When you need something comfortable and durable to carry your gear, you can’t go wrong with a sling backpack! Need a little more info before reading our best sling backpack review? Take a look at these basic specs we list with each review to help you choose!

Colors: From basic black to neon brights, you can choose the best match for your style from different color options.

Water Resistant: Can the bag hold up to rain or snow? Water resistance is a great feature even if you just need a sling backpack for school.

Laptop Size: If you want to bring along your laptop or tablet, check out the allowable laptop size (measured diagonally from corner to corner).

Dimensions: We’ve all ordered something online and had it arrive looking… different from how we expected. Avoid that with the dimensions spec!

Weight: Some of our sling backpack picks are ultra-lightweight, while others are more rugged and heavily padded.

Warranty: Once the return window is up, it’s good to have a safety net in case a hidden defect rears its ugly head!

Top 10 Products

Okay, are you ready to start reading the reviews now? So are we! If you’re short on time, our top pick and budget pick summarize the best of our sling backpack finds. But if you have some time to choose the perfect backpack, try going through the other eight runners-up, too! Now, less talk and more backpack stuff… go!

Maybe it’s no surprise that Under Armour made it to the top of our sling backpack review, but here we are. Our top pick is the Under Armour Compel Sling 2.0, made from tough polyester. A DWR finish helps to repel water--thanks, Under Armour Storm gear! This is also the sling backpack to go for if you need to tote around a laptop. The lined laptop sleeve fits laptops up to 15’’, while none of the others on our list got past 13’’. Besides Storm gear, the bag also features HeatGear design in the crossbody strap to keep you cool while you’re on the go. A side water bottle pocket and multiple main pockets keep all of your stuff in place. Overall, this bag had a lot of water-resistant features that we liked as well as the larger size ideal for school and work laptops. If you want to be able to switch sides, though, you may prefer a sling bag with an adjustable shoulder strap.

Our budget pick for the best sling backpack with a low price? This one! Choose from black, gray, or navy blue colors made from a polyester canvas material. The spacious main pocket can hold laptops and tablets up to 12.5’’ and contains other organizers to help you separate out your stuff. One of our favorite features was the thick mesh water bottle holder with a drawstring closure. If you tend to be rough on your water bottle holders and always end up with tears in mesh holders, this one is a lot harder to destroy! The shoulder strap is reversible, and a “hidden” pocket set on the back of the bag makes a good hiding place for important documents or your wallet. The shoulder strap can also be unclasped quickly with a buckle so you don’t have to struggle to lift it over your head!

The Waterfly sling chest backpack comes in black, blue, olive green, pink, or purple. Water-resistant nylon helps this bag hold up to rain and snow, so it can come with you on your next run or on your commute to school or work. First of all, our favorite feature: a cell phone pocket on the chest strap. The cell phone pocket measures 2.9x7.48x1.57’’ so it can fit most small to medium-sized phones like iPhones. There are several main pockets, too, with multiple inner compartments for keeping your stuff organized. Looking for a bag to take overseas? This sling backpack is super lightweight (less than half a pound) and folds up into itself to fit in your suitcase or carryon. The 15L capacity gives it plenty of room to carry materials for day trips, school, work, or exercise. It can take you from home to work to the gym and back again!

The NeatPack canvas sling backpack is made from tough, water-resistant polyester canvas with a reflective strip on the back to help you show up in the dark. It comes in black, gray, or rustic red, and can fit tablets and laptops up to 12’’. What we loved was the zippered cell phone pouch on the front of the strap. The pouch measures 7.5x3x1.5’’ to fit a variety of phones and also has a headphone slot for listening to music. This makes it a great companion to take with you on outdoor adventures or on your daily commute! Another bonus for commuters: a subtle side pocket is RFID-blocking, the perfect place to keep your wallet and credit cards. A mesh side pocket for a water bottle completes this sling backpack for an awesomely useful item! The strap and back have mesh padding so you can carry your stuff in comfort.

The Maleden sling backpack makes organizing easy with a small hip compartment attached to the main bag section. Three main pockets offer plenty of room for water bottles, wallets, keys, phones, and more! The backpack can fit tablets up to 8’’ but wouldn’t be a good choice for larger laptops. The padded and adjustable strap is comfortable, while the padded mesh backing on the bag helps you avoid the dreaded back sweat! The bag is available in red, black, blue, green, orange, or purple. The colored sections of the bag are anti-scratch, water-resistant nylon to keep your stuff safe and sound. Wear the bag on your front or back comfortably! With plenty of interior dividers within the main pockets, you can keep your stuff organized just the way you like it. This sling backpack is ideal for day trips, hiking, and traveling while keeping your necessities close at hand.

Available in black, army green, blue, and rose, the Waterfly Sling Shoulder Backpack weighs half a pound and has a 10L capacity. Hate digging through one big pocket full of your stuff? The Waterfly sling backpack makes organization easy with nine pockets secured with YNS buckles and SBS zippers. The shoulder strap pouch can hold a phone or your sunglasses, while the side pouch can hold a water bottle. The shoulder pocket zips and measures 3.54 by 7.48’’, so it is large enough to fit small to medium-sized phones, even if they’re in cases. The main pouch and front pouch contain zippered pockets and mesh pockets inside to store different items, from tablets to pencils and first aid supplies. The result? A sling backpack great for travel and commuting to school or work. Keep everything organized and within reach! The materials are also water-resistant to help your stuff stay dry in rain or snow.

This lightweight nylon sling bag is available in black, ocean green, purple, red, rose red, blue, or army green. It has a 12L volume but can also be folded down to a compact size for packing! The strap and other fabric all tuck away into one of the main pockets to be zipped up for easy transport. A hidden inner pocket within the main zippered compartment gives you a place to keep valuables out of sight. The bag also has a shoulder strap pocket and side pocket for water bottles and other items! We think this sling bag makes a great travel companion, especially because you can pack it up small into your suitcase or carry-on if you’re taking a flight. It’s not an ideal size for carrying laptops but could fit small tablets or netbooks. It’s one of the lightest sling backpacks on our list.

The LC Prime sling bag qualifies as the best sling backpack for travel designed to replace your fanny pack for something with more space and comfort! The LC Prime comes in small or large sizes with 13 bright color options between them. The small size can fit a tablet up to 8.4’’ in its main compartment, while the large size can fit tablets or laptops up to 12.5’’. The bags feature two large zippered compartments with inner pockets, a smaller outer compartment, and a small pocket on the shoulder strap. It’s easy to carry your essential travel items with you on trips, vacations, and outdoor excursions. Or pack up your tablet or camera for a pleasant day at the park! The water-resistant D210 nylon bag material and padded mesh shoulder strap will keep you comfortable while keeping your stuff safe!

The Leaper Sling Messenger is available in two sizes with 12 different colors and styles. The bags are made from washed canvas with PU leather accents, and pockets can be closed with a mix of zippers and buckle flaps. The large size can fit a slim 13’’ laptop without a case, while the smaller size can fit up to a 10’’ tablet. Both sizes feature a multitude of pockets, including a main compartment with an inner laptop pocket, small pockets, and an inner zipper pocket. These rugged-looking canvas bags can be a great choice for taking to school or work and are close to the size of a traditional medium-sized backpack. Perfect for taking along photography equipment or art supplies, too! Although you can technically use this sling bag for hikes and other adventures, it’s better suited as an everyday bag for your commute. If you want a sling bag that’s stylish without being overly sporty, this one might be for you!

The SEEU Waterproof Sling is a tough but lightweight sling backpack. Made from water-repellent, tear-resistant polyester, SNS metal zippers, and breathable nylon mesh, the reinforced seams and stitches of this sling make it a sturdy companion for your travels. It comes in a few different color scheme options: black/gray/red, blue/gray/green, green/gray/orange, black/gray, and orange/gray/blue. Besides a sleek, athletic design, this backpack has five pocket sections: two pockets in the main backpack, a side pocket for your water bottle, and a shoulder strap compartment. Whether you’re looking for a sling backpack for travel or school, the SEEU has got your back! The shoulder strap pockets fits phones and other devices up to 4.7’’ and the main compartment fits laptops and tablets up to 9.7’’. This practical sling bag has a 15L capacity for carrying around everyday gear, gym clothes, or packing for a day trip or hike.

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